This Week in Renton: Be part of Renton River Days

Published on May 02, 2025

Renton River Days 2025 be part of the festival

Renton River Days is Renton’s long-standing summer festival celebrating our community through music, art, food, and family-friendly fun.

This year’s festival takes place Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27 and applications to get involved are now open! Please note, applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may close early when filled - so apply early!

Join the parade: Make a grand entrance during the Renton River Days parade on Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. Community groups, marching bands, businesses, and creative floats are invited to apply and participate in the experience. There is a $25 registration fee to participate in the parade. Apply online by July 11.

Join the Summer Bazaar Arts & Crafts Show: Are you a craftsperson, artisan, or vendor with unique goods to share? Connect with the community and gain exposure at one of Renton’s biggest festivals! Last year’s bazaar hosted 70 vendors and saw roughly 5,250 visitors. Apply online.

Join the Chalk Art Competition: The Renton Municipal Arts Commission is bringing back the Chalk Art Competition. This year’s competition is sponsored by Allied Arts of Renton and brings some eye-catching cash prizes. Learn more and register now at rentonwa.gov/rmac.

Become a sponsor: Renton River Days is made possible through scholarship investments from dedicated corporate partners and local businesses. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities by contacting jspencer@rentonwa.gov.

Volunteer: Volunteers are needed for the parade and the GREEN team that supports festival clean up. Applications will open on May 21 on the Renton River Days page and rentonwa.gov/volunteer.

There’s so much more to explore during Renton River Days! Visit rentonwa.gov/riverdays to see what’s planned—more details coming soon!

Renton made a big impact last weekend!

Last Saturday, the Parks & Recreation Department’s Urban Forestry team hosted an Arbor Day / Earth Day celebration at Highlands Neighborhood Park.

Among 40 volunteers, 22 trees were planted, and 260 trees, donated by 300Trees, were given away to residents. Learn why Renton loves our trees on the Urban Forestry Your Voice Renton page here.

The Public Works Department’s stormwater team led a crew of volunteers that installed 50 storm drain markers and passed out 255 informational doorhangers in the Summerwind neighborhood. A big thanks to our volunteers who not only helped reduce stormwater pollution but improved their understanding of stormwater pollution!

Learn why stormwater matters to all of us at the Stormwater Management Your Voice Renton page here, and stay tuned for future volunteer opportunities with our stormwater team, including during Day of Service this September.

That’s not all though!

On Saturday, the Renton Police Department partnered with Iron Mountain, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and The Salvation Army Renton Corp at the Shred-A-Thon & Prescription Drug Take Back Event.

This event made a big impact, bringing together 391 households to safely collect:

Nine tons of sensitive documents securely shredded

246 pounds of prescription medications collected for safe disposal

925 pounds of food and $617 collected to benefit Renton’s Salvation Army Food Bank

Still have paper to recycle? The Public Works Department will be hosting several upcoming recycling events on May 17, June 7, and September 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Renton Technical College. Find more information at rentonwa.gov/recycleevents.

Find information on city events at rentonwa.gov/events.

Calling all cyclists!

The city's Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with Cascade Bicycle Club to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy transportation option.

Stop by the Celebration Station on Bike Everywhere Day, Wednesday, May 14, from 6 to 10 a.m. on the Cedar River Trail at Logan Avenue North. Be on the lookout for the pop-up tent at the south end of the Renton Memorial Stadium Parking Lot.

No matter if you are a casual cyclist, commute by bike, or just trying something new, come ride on by and enjoy some light refreshments and free swag!

Learn more at cascade.org.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides $80 benefit card

The Renton Farmers Market season begins on Tuesday, June 3, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program may be perfect for you or someone you know!

King County residents ages 60 and up (or age 55+ if you are American Indian or Alaska Native) with qualifying incomes may be eligible to receive $80 in funds to spend at participating Farmers Markets, including the Renton Farmers Market.

Income must be no more than:

$2,413 monthly ($28,953 annual) income for one person
$3,261 monthly ($39,128 annual) income for two people
For larger households, add $848 for each additional person

Apply by May 9 at sfmnp-seattleking.org, or pick up a paper application at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center (211 Burnett Ave. N.).

Need help with your application?

Call Community Living Connections at 1-844-348-5464.

If your name is randomly selected, you will receive a benefit card in the mail in June and can use it at the Renton Farmers Market, in addition to dozens of participating markets across Western Washington.

Cardholders can use benefits at multiple vendors and multiple times until the $80 is spent.

Get ready for Renton Recreation’s Safety Fest!

Safety Fest is all about community safety and well-being. Be a part of this inaugural event Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Highway).

RSVP now at rentonwa.gov/register. We can’t wait to see you there!

Some event highlights include:

Safety demonstrations
Safety experts and booths
Various city departments and teams
Giveaways that include bike helmets, life jackets, first aid kits, and more
A limited supply of air purifiers will be available
Bike rodeo’ event
Food trucks

Two weeks away: Connect with employers at the 10th Annual Renton Career Fair

This 10th Annual Renton Career Fair takes place Wednesday and Thursday, May 14-15 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Renton Technical College (3000 NE Fourth St.).

Attendees must register here.

Wednesday, May 14: Business, childcare, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and more Thursday, May 15: Healthcare industry ONLY

The 2025 Renton Career Fair is made possible by a partnership between the city’s Community & Economic Development Department, Renton Chamber of Commerce, Handshake, and Renton Technical College.

Find your new best friend at the May 17 Animal Control Pet Adoption Event

Renton Police Department's Animal Control team is partnering with Eastside Veterinary Associates to host the second pet adoption event on Saturday, May 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Eastside Veterinary Associates (1700 NE 44th St.). All pets are fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. Adoption fees will be 50% off ($50 /dogs, $25/cats). View some of the pets available for adoption at 24petconnect.com by filtering by zip code (98057) and shelter (Renton Police Department). You can also find photos of some of the pets on Facebook.

Mark your calendar and come find your match! Every tail deserves a happy ending.

Around Renton

Renton City Council meets every Monday (excluding fifth Mondays & holidays) at 7 p.m. at Renton City Hall’s 7th floor council chambers. Find the agenda and sign up to speak at rentonwa.gov/council.
May 7 – Gardening Class: Compost and Amendments the Natural Way, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by the Public Works Department, Renton Parks & Recreation, and Saving Water Partnership. Free. Register now.
May 14 – Bike Everywhere Day, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Cedar River Trail at Logan Ave. N. Hosted by Cascade Bicycle Club and City of Renton staff.
May 14 – What’s Brewing with Ed – Conversations with Renton’s CAO, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Rescheduled from May 7. Luther’s Table, 419 S. Second St. Hosted by the Executive Services Department. Free. RSVP on email or Facebook.
May 14-15 – 2025 Renton Career Fair, 3 – 6 p.m. Renton Technical College, 3000 NE Fourth St. Hosted by the City of Renton, Renton Chamber of Commerce, and Renton Technical College. Free. Register now.
May 17 – Recycling Event: Metal & Styrofoam Collection, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Renton Technical College, NE 6th Pl. & Monroe Ave. NE. Hosted by the Public Works Department. Free.
May 17 – Safety Fest, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. Register now.
May 17 – Animal Control Adoption Event, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Eastside Veterinary Associates, 1700 NE 44th St. 1715 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by the Renton Police Department and Eastside Veterinary Associates.
May 21 – What's Brewing with Ed – Conversations with Renton’s CAO, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Berliner Pub, 221 Main Ave. S. Hosted by the Executive Services Department. Free. RSVP on email or Facebook.
May 21 – Gardening Class: Incredible Edibles: Grow Your Own, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Virtual. Hosted by the Public Works Department, Renton Parks & Recreation, and Saving Water Partnership. Free. Register now.
May 22 – StartUp 425 Business Networking Event, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. IKEA – Swedish Restaurant, 601 SW 41st St. Hosted by StartUp425, IKEA, and the city’s Community & Economic Development Department. Free. Register now.
May 26 – Memorial Day Ceremony, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park, 523 S. Third St. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free.
May 30 – Neighborhood BBQ 2025 Series, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Philip Arnold Park, 720 Jones Ave. S. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. RSVP today.
June 3 – Gardening Class: Top 10 Eco Gardening Hacks, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Virtual. Hosted by the Public Works Department, Renton Parks & Recreation, and Saving Water Partnership. Free. Register now.

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